from ἐν and εὐλογέω; to confer a benefit on:--bless.
Transliteration:eneulogéō
Pronunciation:en-yoo-log-eh'-o
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐνευλογέω (eneulogéō, `{{G1757}}`) is a compound word derived from the preposition ἐν (en, "in," "on," "among," or indicating a means/instrument) and the verb εὐλογέω (eulogéō, `{{G2127}}`, "to bless," "to speak well of," "to praise"). The prefix ἐν in this context serves to intensify or specify the nature of the blessing, indicating a blessing that is effectively *imparted* or *conferred upon* someone, rather than merely declared. It signifies the actualization or bestowal of a benefit. The base definition "to confer a benefit on" captures this nuance precisely. While εὐλογέω can refer broadly to praising God or invoking a blessing, ἐνευλογέω specifically emphasizes the *reception* of a divine favor or benefit by the object of the blessing. It points to a blessing that truly comes *upon* and *into* the life of the recipient.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
ἐνευλογέω appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the passive voice, highlighting that the subjects *receive* the blessing:
1. **[[Acts 3:25]]**: "You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’" (καὶ ἐν τῷ σπέρματί σου ἐνευλογηθήσονται πᾶσαι αἱ πατριαὶ τῆς γῆς). Here, Peter, addressing the Israelites, quotes a foundational promise given to Abraham. The blessing is universal ("all the families of the earth") and comes "in" or "through" Abraham's "offspring" (σπέρματι), a term that in its singular form points prophetically to Christ. The use of ἐνευλογέω underscores the effective and far-reaching nature of this divine promise.
2. **[[Galatians 3:8]]**: "And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’" (ὅτι ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν σοὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη). Paul, in his argument for justification by faith, also cites the Abrahamic covenant. Similar to Acts, the blessing is universal ("all the nations") and is conferred "in" or "through" Abraham himself, a promise that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the inclusion of Gentiles through faith.
Both occurrences are direct quotations from the Septuagint (LXX) translation of the Old Testament (e.g., [[Genesis 12:3]], [[Genesis 18:18]], [[Genesis 22:18]], [[Genesis 26:4]]), where ἐνευλογέω is frequently used to translate the Hebrew verb בָּרַךְ (barak, `{{H1288}}`) when the blessing is directed *upon* or *through* someone. This demonstrates the continuity of God's covenantal promises from the Old Testament into the New.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **εὐλογέω (eulogéō, `{{G2127}}`):** The root verb from which ἐνευλογέω is formed. While εὐλογέω broadly means "to bless," "to praise," or "to speak well of," ἐνευλογέω carries the specific nuance of a blessing being *imparted* or *actualized* upon the recipient.
* **εὐλογία (eulogía, `{{G2129}}`):** The noun form, meaning "blessing" or "praise." It refers to the benefit or good invoked or bestowed.
* **בָּרַךְ (barak, `{{H1288}}`):** The primary Hebrew word for "to bless." The use of ἐνευλογέω in the LXX to translate barak in covenantal contexts, particularly the Abrahamic promises, highlights its role in conveying the efficacy of God's blessings.
* **Covenant:** The concept of God's binding promises and the relationship established with humanity, particularly through Abraham. ἐνευλογέω is deeply embedded in the language of the Abrahamic covenant, emphasizing the divine commitment to confer benefits.
* **Seed/Offspring (σπέρμα):** The specific mention of Abraham's "offspring" as the conduit for the blessing (in Acts 3:25 and Galatians 3:16) points directly to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the promise.
* **Justification by Faith:** As seen in Galatians 3, the blessing conferred by God is intrinsically linked to the gospel and the means of justification through faith, extending beyond ethnic boundaries to include all nations.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἐνευλογέω is profound, particularly in its limited but strategic New Testament occurrences:
1. **Universal Scope of God's Blessing:** The consistent phrase "all the families/nations of the earth shall be blessed" underscores God's expansive redemptive plan. The blessing promised to Abraham was never intended to be exclusive to his physical descendants but was always meant to extend globally, encompassing all humanity.
2. **Christ as the Conduit of Blessing:** Both Acts and Galatians interpret the "offspring" or "seed" through whom the blessing comes as Jesus Christ. Thus, ἐνευλογέω points to the person and work of Christ as the singular means by which God's ancient promises of blessing are effectively conferred upon humanity. It is in Him that the nations are blessed.
3. **Divine Initiative and Efficacy:** The passive voice of ἐνευλογέω (shall be blessed) emphasizes that the blessing is a divine act, initiated and performed by God. It is not something earned or achieved by human effort but is a gracious conferral of benefit by the Almighty. This highlights God's faithfulness to His covenantal promises.
4. **Continuity of Salvation History:** The use of ἐνευλογέω in quoting Old Testament promises highlights the seamless continuity between God's work in the Old Covenant and its fulfillment in the New. The gospel preached to Abraham was, in essence, the same gospel that brings salvation and blessing through Christ.
### Summary
ἐνευλογέω (eneulogéō, `{{G1757}}`) is a potent Greek verb signifying the effective and actual conferral of a divine blessing upon a recipient. Though appearing only twice in the New Testament, its usage is highly significant, serving as a direct quotation from the Septuagint's rendering of the Abrahamic covenant promises. In both [[Acts 3:25]] and [[Galatians 3:8]], it underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, wherein "all families/nations of the earth" are to be blessed. This blessing is ultimately actualized and bestowed through Jesus Christ, the promised "offspring" of Abraham. The word thus encapsulates God's faithfulness to His ancient promises, the global reach of His grace, and the centrality of Christ as the conduit of divine blessing and justification for all who believe.
TRV